Having just finished clamping up some hard maple and purple 4/4 into 8/4 blanks, it was time to go run errands.Went to start my truck to warm it up. Did the same thing I’ve done hundreds of times. Opened door, stood on right foot, left leg pushing clutch in, turned key. We live in flat land so I leave it in gear (manual f150). However, it seems the last person that used it, left it in gear.

Truck took off with me still on one foot (not for long though), I try to pull it out of gear while reaching for brake with left foot. Couldn’t do either. I’m knocked down but luckily not run over. Just some cuts and bruises.

My Wood Shop? Not so lucky. The damn truck goes straight into the wood shop doors like a freaking bulldozer. Taking out my two custom made entry doors, plowing forward taking out my table saw, planer, brand new scroll saw, work table. Only stopping and stalling once it hit the back wall, taking it out along with a lot of tools on the peg boarded wall. Unbelievable.

All in all, I guess I’m fortunate. Being a paramedic, I see people hurt in accidents all the time. The tools are replaceable and I can rebuild. Very frustrating as the shop was my place to go and I had several Christmas presents in progress. Now, can’t finish any of them this year. UGH!

-- If You Haven't Got the Time to Do It Right, When Will You Find the Time to Do It Over?

119 replies so far

Wow that SUCKS. I would cry if that happened to me. I’m glad you’re ok but DANG. What a crappy thing. Looks like your maple and purpleheart glueup survived tho. As a side note, I have the same drill as you.

-- "MOM! I think there's something under our house! I'm gonna need a jackhammer, a fish bowl, some air tanks, and maybe a few pipes."